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Forums > Stand Up Paddle General

which is the best paddle

Reply
Created by jasdeking > 9 months ago, 23 Oct 2010
jasdeking
QLD, 1820 posts
23 Oct 2010 4:36PM
Thumbs Up

Its birthday time soon and i have been looking at a new paddle for a few months to replace the axe i use now...i like coreban paddles but haven't tested too many others. Heard alot about the shaka puu and nalu by kialoa.

90% surf...........im a fairly fit 90kg and dont mind the bigger bight of the wider blade.

what do you think?
thanks

PTWoody
VIC, 3982 posts
23 Oct 2010 7:16PM
Thumbs Up

laceys lane said...

there's only one paddle to get- 'the pipes', until something smaller comes along



Make sure it's tinted and not painted or it will never push water.

laceys lane
QLD, 19803 posts
23 Oct 2010 6:23PM
Thumbs Up

PTWoody said...

laceys lane said...

there's only one paddle to get- 'the pipes', until something smaller comes along



Make sure it's tinted and not painted or it will never push water.


haha, that's what ya need to do, sand the flowers off, you'll be 'pulling' water in no time

Newmo
VIC, 471 posts
23 Oct 2010 8:33PM
Thumbs Up

Kia Kaha your in QLD, try one, good stuff and priced well

Simondo
VIC, 8020 posts
23 Oct 2010 8:53PM
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You'll love a nice light paddle to replace the axe !

So many good options now. I doubt anyone is brave enough to state which is the best !!

Kia Kaha are near you, Aussie Made, and available through Blue Water in Noosa Village/Junction.
Kialoa do good paddles, the stickers say Made in USA.
Quick Blade.... and more....
A guy on this forum also makes a nice paddle, and can be argued to be the lightest in the world.

A stiffer shaft delivers better power. Test shaft stiffness in the shops.... The RDS, Reduced Diameter Shaft on the cheaper entry level Naish Paddle looks great, and is fine, but it has more flex than say a Kialoa Shaft. But Kialoa costs more....

Refer to Downwinder's quote, "if you wanna play, you have to pay".

Scotty Mac
SA, 2055 posts
23 Oct 2010 9:56PM
Thumbs Up

I like the methane, but the JL fiberglass paddle is great for everyday paddling to reduce shoulder soreness for us older folks. Great for trips away/holidays etc.

CMC
QLD, 3954 posts
23 Oct 2010 9:33PM
Thumbs Up

laceys lane said...

jasdeking said...

Its birthday time soon and i have been looking at a new paddle for a few months to replace the axe i use now...i like coreban paddles but haven't tested too many others. Heard alot about the shaka puu and nalu by kialoa.

90% surf...........im a fairly fit 90kg and dont mind the bigger bight of the wider blade.

what do you think?
thanks


there's only one paddle to get- 'the pipes', until something smaller comes along


We ran the experiment the other day and we are convinced that the next big thing will be paddling with no blade, just a t-grip on both ends. I tried paddling with my paddle upside down and was amazed how fast I could paddle. I wasn't moving fast but it felt great.


DavidJohn
VIC, 17505 posts
24 Oct 2010 12:58AM
Thumbs Up

I also like the Methane.

DJ

Healdy
QLD, 57 posts
24 Oct 2010 11:54AM
Thumbs Up

Kia Kaha - Best value - good flex, handle & blade. Cool Designs.

theDoctor
NSW, 5784 posts
24 Oct 2010 1:24PM
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Everyone I know who has owned a kialoa has snapped atleast one...

recently a mate after only 8 sessions snapped his shaka puu paddling for a wave

last i heard, shop in north syd is questioning whether to replace or repair

(at 500 bucks you'd think it would be no brainer straight swap for a newy)

...and even went as far to say maybe the paddler is too powerful for paddle...?

seen the size of some of them hawiian dudes..?

I love my kialoa paddles, methane and nalu. couldn't imagine a reason to give them up, except maybe to snap one after a handful of sessions and then be told my wimpy ass is too strong for them...

had a go of a kia kaha in indo, the blade was bigger than the methane i had, the shaft felt stiffer and more substantial than the kialoa and the blade had this trippy psychadelic design set into it.

plus it was made in aus...

billboard
QLD, 2816 posts
24 Oct 2010 2:36PM
Thumbs Up

IMO - Kia Kaha is the best allround paddle I have ever used. My missus and I both use them and all my mates as well (both of them )
They are strong/light (but not too light) and and can be custom coloured and sized to suit - I think they are also probably the cheapest premium paddle on the market.. We have put ours through absolute hell and they have never ever let us down.

hilly
WA, 7464 posts
24 Oct 2010 12:40PM
Thumbs Up

Quickblade really nice light paddle no flutter due to diathernal and eva handle is real comfy. Only brand I have owned that I have not snapped. Have owned kialoa, select, starboard.

jasdeking
QLD, 1820 posts
24 Oct 2010 5:15PM
Thumbs Up

thanks heaps guys

so it seems to be down to the Shaka puu or the Kia kaha

shaka puu doesnt have a dihedral thingy is that an issue?

DavidJohn
VIC, 17505 posts
24 Oct 2010 6:34PM
Thumbs Up

jasdeking said...

thanks heaps guys

so it seems to be down to the Shaka puu or the Kia kaha

shaka puu doesnt have a dihedral thingy is that an issue?


IMHO no issue at all.. You may get a little flutter when you first paddle it but that will soon pass.. BTW I've paddled with many dihedral blades that have fluttered all over the place so I think the whole dihedral thing is way over rated.

You can't go wrong with either the Kialoa Poo or the Kia Kaha... also.. I have so many friends using Kialoa's and only heard of a couple breaking and they were both quickly replaced under warranty.

DJ

Downwinder
QLD, 2031 posts
24 Oct 2010 6:48PM
Thumbs Up

Kialoa Paddles are not worth the money they are heavy + zig zag with every pull = wasted energy means less glide. The C4 Paddles are a good paddle but to thick in their shaft. The qb paddles are the ants pants of all paddles expensive but worth their money in GOLD = lite - clean water entry - smooth - pulls plenty of water - no strain on da body.
But the qb Dimple Dipper racer is not worth two bob just a con sell.

jasdeking
QLD, 1820 posts
24 Oct 2010 6:51PM
Thumbs Up

hmm amd the qb compared to kia kaha?
thanks eh.

sam111
NSW, 82 posts
24 Oct 2010 9:40PM
Thumbs Up

If anyone has a problem with there KIALOA if you contact me I will send you a new shaft as long as you send me the old broken one. KIALOA have a manufacturing warrranty. I hope you all have a great day.

Cheers
Sam
0415769218

robdog
VIC, 611 posts
24 Oct 2010 10:03PM
Thumbs Up

sam111 said...

If anyone has a problem with there KIALOA if you contact me I will send you a new shaft as long as you send me the old broken one. KIALOA have a manufacturing warrranty. I hope you all have a great day.

Cheers
Sam
0415769218


Thanks for the offer Sam, how easy is it to replace the shaft? How do you recommend removing the handle and blade? Robdog

jasdeking
QLD, 1820 posts
24 Oct 2010 9:10PM
Thumbs Up

sam111 said...

If anyone has a problem with there KIALOA if you contact me I will send you a new shaft as long as you send me the old broken one. KIALOA have a manufacturing warrranty. I hope you all have a great day.

Cheers
Sam
0415769218


thanks sam are you the importer? i like the paddles from what i have seen.

jasdeking
QLD, 1820 posts
2 Nov 2010 7:30PM
Thumbs Up

ok lads

the birthday came today ( 45 ...ouch )

my wife searched hi and low cause i am a really fussy she thinks...whatever :)

...not in stock, wrong size, ugly, poorly made..... was it the right paddle...?

the result was she chose a Quick Blade elite race 100 or so :) 8/34 inches wide...nice grab.

tested at Noosa in some nice waves today. Fantastic paddle..nice finish, well put together.

thanks for all the feedback...i really appreciate it.

the old axe is living in the garage :)...thats the old paddle not my wife lol




JBay
13 posts
4 Nov 2010 2:58PM
Thumbs Up

Hey guys, excellent topic. I've had the unfortunate experience of not only snapping a few of my own paddles but.....a few of my mates carbon customs as well. I had a particularly bad run between December and March 2010 where I snapped three... a NAISH, QB and a custom full carbon $$$$$$. My suggestion is to aim for a coroban carbon/ kevlar combo if you want to operate in the surf. I've been through some 12ft swell with it and it survived some awesome close-outs that my board could not. I did like the QB (RIP) as it was real wippy and you could use the flex to really flick you out of a wave by leaning on it with your weight. It just wasn't strong enough.
The Coreban blokes also give an unconditional guarantee on the paddle if it snaps. Money well invested. I love the combination of the T-Bar and ergonomic grip as I feel pretty confident holding on to it when surfing close to the coffee-rock bank along my home break as it has eaten a few boards, paddles and the occassional surfer.

Lobes
885 posts
4 Nov 2010 3:22PM
Thumbs Up

good choice I have 6 paddles of 6 different brands and my favorite is the quickblade

jasdeking
QLD, 1820 posts
4 Nov 2010 5:36PM
Thumbs Up

JBay said...

Hey guys, excellent topic. I've had the unfortunate experience of not only snapping a few of my own paddles but.....a few of my mates carbon customs as well. I had a particularly bad run between December and March 2010 where I snapped three... a NAISH, QB and a custom full carbon $$$$$$. My suggestion is to aim for a coroban carbon/ kevlar combo if you want to operate in the surf. I've been through some 12ft swell with it and it survived some awesome close-outs that my board could not. I did like the QB (RIP) as it was real wippy and you could use the flex to really flick you out of a wave by leaning on it with your weight. It just wasn't strong enough.
The Coreban blokes also give an unconditional guarantee on the paddle if it snaps. Money well invested. I love the combination of the T-Bar and ergonomic grip as I feel pretty confident holding on to it when surfing close to the coffee-rock bank along my home break as it has eaten a few boards, paddles and the occassional surfer.


my wife has that carbon / kevlar paddle...it is a great paddle....

Downwinder
QLD, 2031 posts
4 Nov 2010 6:55PM
Thumbs Up

JBay said...

Hey guys, excellent topic. I've had the unfortunate experience of not only snapping a few of my own paddles but.....a few of my mates carbon customs as well. I had a particularly bad run between December and March 2010 where I snapped three... a NAISH, QB and a custom full carbon $$$$$$. My suggestion is to aim for a coroban carbon/ kevlar combo if you want to operate in the surf. I've been through some 12ft swell with it and it survived some awesome close-outs that my board could not. I did like the QB (RIP) as it was real wippy and you could use the flex to really flick you out of a wave by leaning on it with your weight. It just wasn't strong enough.
The Coreban blokes also give an unconditional guarantee on the paddle if it snaps. Money well invested. I love the combination of the T-Bar and ergonomic grip as I feel pretty confident holding on to it when surfing close to the coffee-rock bank along my home break as it has eaten a few boards, paddles and the occassional surfer.


qb give 100% guarantee if it brakes or you're not with paddle STYLING

Downwinder
QLD, 2031 posts
4 Nov 2010 6:56PM
Thumbs Up

JBay said...

Hey guys, excellent topic. I've had the unfortunate experience of not only snapping a few of my own paddles but.....a few of my mates carbon customs as well. I had a particularly bad run between December and March 2010 where I snapped three... a NAISH, QB and a custom full carbon $$$$$$. My suggestion is to aim for a coroban carbon/ kevlar combo if you want to operate in the surf. I've been through some 12ft swell with it and it survived some awesome close-outs that my board could not. I did like the QB (RIP) as it was real wippy and you could use the flex to really flick you out of a wave by leaning on it with your weight. It just wasn't strong enough.
The Coreban blokes also give an unconditional guarantee on the paddle if it snaps. Money well invested. I love the combination of the T-Bar and ergonomic grip as I feel pretty confident holding on to it when surfing close to the coffee-rock bank along my home break as it has eaten a few boards, paddles and the occassional surfer.


qb give 100% guarantee if it brakes or you're not with paddle STYLING

jasdeking
QLD, 1820 posts
4 Nov 2010 7:58PM
Thumbs Up

Downwinder said...

JBay said...

Hey guys, excellent topic. I've had the unfortunate experience of not only snapping a few of my own paddles but.....a few of my mates carbon customs as well. I had a particularly bad run between December and March 2010 where I snapped three... a NAISH, QB and a custom full carbon $$$$$$. My suggestion is to aim for a coroban carbon/ kevlar combo if you want to operate in the surf. I've been through some 12ft swell with it and it survived some awesome close-outs that my board could not. I did like the QB (RIP) as it was real wippy and you could use the flex to really flick you out of a wave by leaning on it with your weight. It just wasn't strong enough.
The Coreban blokes also give an unconditional guarantee on the paddle if it snaps. Money well invested. I love the combination of the T-Bar and ergonomic grip as I feel pretty confident holding on to it when surfing close to the coffee-rock bank along my home break as it has eaten a few boards, paddles and the occassional surfer.


qb give 100% guarantee if it brakes or you're not with paddle STYLING




the new qb paddle was amazing in surf this week at noosa....just paddled onto waves that normally would have missed because it was so light....NOT to say another paddle wouldn't have done the same job but i was jumping.

jasdeking
QLD, 1820 posts
4 Nov 2010 8:00PM
Thumbs Up

Lobes said...

good choice I have 6 paddles of 6 different brands and my favorite is the quickblade


thanks (from wife) and me

aussiewahine
QLD, 798 posts
5 Nov 2010 9:00AM
Thumbs Up

This might help explain all those numbers on your new paddle...

JBay
13 posts
6 Nov 2010 7:45PM
Thumbs Up

Hey Downwinder, So QB offers a 100% warrantee? I didn't get any help with my paddle mate. Perhaps it's just my bad luck. As I said I did love that paddle. I've had it professionally repaired and now my wife uses it. Kinda hands off for me.

AA
NSW, 2159 posts
7 Nov 2010 10:26PM
Thumbs Up

All paddles can break.

Especially when you mix SUP boards, carbon paddles, waves and wipeouts.

This IS the ocean we are playing in.
Any surf equipment will fail when you mix it up in the wrong conditions.
Giving a 100% guarantee that gear wont break when you play in the ocean would put anyone out of business pretty quickly.

If it is a manufacturing defect you will find all reputable brands will back their product 100%. Get rolled however or take a bad wipeout and that is part of the game.

The problem with carbon is you can whack it one day and it can fail later under normal conditions. We find that most manufacturing defect show up very soon after purchase.

Fortunately for Quickblade our warranty claim rate on snapped shafts is negligible.

AA


Downwinder
QLD, 2031 posts
7 Nov 2010 9:41PM
Thumbs Up

JBay said...

Hey Downwinder, So QB offers a 100% warrantee? I didn't get any help with my paddle mate. Perhaps it's just my bad luck. As I said I did love that paddle. I've had it professionally repaired and now my wife uses it. Kinda hands off for me.

Yes JBay qb offer 100% warrantee. Who did ya buy qb off you been riped of man. Just email Jim Terrell & ya money will be sorted = SIMPLE
DW



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